Which of the following is a cause of auditory nerve disorders?

Meningitis can be a cause of auditory nerve disorders due to its potential to affect the central nervous system, which includes the structures responsible for hearing. When meningitis occurs, the inflammation and infection can lead to damage to the auditory pathways, including the auditory nerve itself. This damage can result in hearing loss or other auditory difficulties because the auditory nerve is crucial for transmitting sound information from the cochlea in the inner ear to the brain.

Other conditions such as allergies, head injuries, and middle ear infections primarily affect different aspects of the auditory system or may lead to more temporary hearing issues rather than directly causing disorders of the auditory nerve. While head injuries can also cause auditory nerve damage in some cases, meningitis presents a clearer, more direct link to inflammation and potential permanent damage of the nerve due to its systemic nature. Therefore, meningitis is recognized as a notable cause of auditory nerve disorders.